The race for the crown of the Barclays Premier League goes frantic as Manchester City and Manchester United lie equal, City having a game in hand. Also, considering that Chelsea have been outwitted throughout the season, their fourth place makes me sniff something special coming up.

Van Persie's form can't be underestimated, he has thrashed good and bad teams alike. Arsenal have the nerve to hold on and get into the top 4. Tottenham have showed some grit and have clinged to the third spot, bettering the big 4 like anything. The race is thrown wide open, so let's wait and watch!

asnani04

The title race takes a turn, as Arsenal start succumbing to defeats outside the League. With a huge thrashing at the hands of AC Milan mid-week and then a poor performance against Sunderland in the FA Cup now marks a time when Arsenal are struggling to keep pace with the giants of Europe. Wenger will need to pull off something special in order to rejuvenate the losing team and make them play their natural game. It will take time and effort, no doubt, but another trophyless season would mean that now, Arsenal just have to play well and get a place in the top 4 in The Barclays Premier League somehow. Let's hope for the best.

asnani04

Chelsea's lack of consistency is also a huge reason to worry now. English defences have been thrown open too many times now, as the country looks upon a time when no English team would be able to make it to the Quarter Finals in the Champions League football tournament. What would happen? What's more to come? No one can say so for sure, but one thing is certain - English football levels have gone down a big deal in the recent past with the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United, and many other such negative changes. Let';s hope Chelsea turn the tables in their home leg against Napoli on 14th March.

gverutes

When is the championship game of the Champions league? It seems like that tourney runs all year every year.

yep. The second legs of all the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 games are on 14th and 21st March, I guess. Let's hope for the best! By the way, the competition in the title race for the Barclays Premier League is getting bigger and bigger, with Manchester United staying on the heels of their city rivals, Manchester City, with continued wins coming to both the teams. In the meanwhile, Tottenham's 2-5 loss to Arsenal this weekend has given a final blow to their title hopes, and they would now be fighting to keep up their third place. Chelsea's victory further enhances their challenge for the fourth place, even more so as Newcastle could fetch only a point at Wolves. But the real decider would be the day the two Manchester clubs face off against each other.

asnani04

So, we have Tottenham against Manchester United today! let's see who grabs the three points, with both teams looking to go up. While it is absolutely essential for United to get a victory, in order to stay in close range of Manchester City, Tottenham needs to prove that what they did against Arsenal a week back was not the way they really play. There is immense speculation regarding the game, and I think United will seal the deal today, but one must be vary of surprises! Hope to see a lot of great soccer action on ESPN!

ujjwalshrestha

Where is Chelsea heading? Torres was a bad deal.

TheLimey

ujjwalshrestha wrote:

Where is Chelsea heading? Torres was a bad deal.

understatement of the century

ujjwalshrestha

TheLimey wrote:

ujjwalshrestha wrote:

Where is Chelsea heading? Torres was a bad deal.

understatement of the century

Seriously

asnani04

Yeah. Torres was certainly a bad deal. He fails to score even when the goal is all open before him.

I hope that Chelsea somehow clinch a 2-0 or 3-0 victory today against Napoli, so that they stand firm in the Champions' League Quarter finals. Otherwise, no English team in the Quarters would really degrade the image of English football at the global level. Also, as I'm personally a supporter of Chelsea, I wish they overcome this upcoming challenge and show to the world that they are not that bad. The 3-0 lead that they initially took against Manchester united was not a fluke. They can do so today also, at Stamford Bridge, but they need to be calm and organize their defenses well enough in order to beat the likes of Lavezzi.

asnani04

So, there we are - the football world is all dynamic, with triumphs and disappointments grabbing the beat of everyone. Chelsea stunned the world with its remarkable comeback against Napoli and advanced headlong into Champions' League Quarters, facing Benfica next. Torres's brace against Leicester further strengthens Di Matteo's claim of improving the lot of Chelsea players.

Another point here is that Manchester United are keeping their big hopes alive through stunning displays at home and away. Their ecstatic form of late has led them straight at the top of the league, and the game between Chelsea and Manchester City will be a delight to watch tomorrow, due to two reasons. One, there is pressure on Manchester City to stay in the race for the title. Two, there is pressure on Chelsea to get a Champions League spot next season and also on Di Matteo to prove that his exploits as manager so far are no fluke.

TheLimey

I am a Gunner and more excited about 3rd place race. However even though I hate both Manchester teams and REALLY hate city, I do think it will be Man City

ujjwalshrestha

I wonder if this happen before - the cup holder of the champion league did not quality for the following year tournament. It would be very interesting to see if Chelsea remain at the current position in BPL, beaten by Liverpool in FA cup then destroy Bayern Munich in Champions league final. When did football start to become a funny game?

asnani04

Yep. Football suddenly looks like a funny game. AVB was sacked after Chelsea's loss to West Bromwich Albion, as far as I remember. They had just qualified for top 16 of the UEFA Champions League, and had already suffered a defeat in Napoli (3-1). After all that, God knows how the players returned to some magical form (look at Cech!) and turned the tide in the FA Cup and the UCL. The Premier League still remains, and with Tottenham blowing each and every game, I guess the match between Chelsea and Newcastle might be the decider as to who will take the Champions League birth. Otherwise, if Chelsea beat Bayern on 19th May, they'll be through to next year's UCL! So, let's see what happens!

TheLimey

As I am a HUGE Gunners fanof course i am naturally unhappy that it is going to be a Manchester team winning the title. However, between the two Manchester teams I guess I slightly prefer united, they did not buy their way to the title. City has bought a bunch of freelance players that can not play together as a team, they are all individuals with some exceptions such as Joe Hart and Milner.

So United to win but next season I will be putting money on Arsenal taking it especially after finding out that we are going to be getting the one the only Podolski! him and RVP forward together is going to be nice

ujjwalshrestha

The title race is wide open now. Manchester city will be damning themselve if they don't win the premiership this year. The title is up for them to grab. New Castle is their next challenge. I hope they are up for it.

asnani04

Seriously. Roberto Mancini must be having only one objective in his mind - a victory in the final game. That said, any big turnarounds can also take place in the final round of the BPL. If Manchester City fail to win, and Manchester United clinch a winner, then the old Reds will hold their heads high while City will be torn apart. Let's see what happens.

asnani04

I feel that next season, the main contenders for the title will be Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City. Arsenal because the team has been clicking pretty well in the recent times. Chelsea because their old heroes have again found their good form and play with class. United, because of Ferguson's huge experience, and his ability to pull out rabbits from sheer emptiness. Manchester City, because finally, it seems that the big buys seem to click. Even then, I somehow feel that Arsenal lack the consistency to finish at the top, with the current team. Also, Manchester City can play lots better with the kind of players they have. I hope that these players start clicking the way the big buys did for Real Madrid this season.

ujjwalshrestha

I'm glad that Man City is at current position this year. I'm sick of watching Man United and Rooney's looney attitude. It's good to see the power shifting to new team. This makes the league competitive and interesting.